Enhanced lipid peroxide levels in the erythrocytes of calves with haemoglobinuria

Eight 6-9 month old carves, showing clinical signs of intermittent haemoglo binuria, even after treatment with an antipiroplasmal drug (4,4-diamidinodi azoaminobenzene diaceturate), were examined for oxidative damage to their e rythrocytes and the presence of hemoprotozoa in blood smears. Four calves w ithout signs of haemoglobinuria served as controls. The blood smears from t hree of the eight calves contained piroplasms for Theileria annulata. Irres pective of the presence of piroplasms in their blood smears, the calves wit h haemoglobinuria had significantly (p<0.01) lower haemoglobin concentratio ns (Hb) and packed cell volumes (PCV). The lipid peroxide level in the eryt hrocytes, but not in the plasma, of calves with red urine was significantly (p < 0.05) higher than that for the controls. It is concluded that haemogl obinuria, irrespective of the presence of piroplasms in blood smears, is as sociated with oxidative stress to erythrocytes and peroxidation of polyunsa turated fatty acids of cell membrane.